JOHOR POLLS | Incumbent Johor Menteri Besar Hasni Mohammad said the state government was still undecided on a mega reclamation venture off the shore of Muar but promised that consideration of the project would undergo due process.
"The government is always welcoming of any kind of development and proposal. Due process and due consideration will be given.
"I'm sure that investors are very interested in Johor and they want to do all kinds of development. As a government, we should consider any proposal that is good for the economy, that creates employment, that creates a vibrant state,' he told journalists during a ceramah in Kampung Parit Talibek, Benut this evening.
Hasni, who is defending his state seat of Benut in the Johor polls, spoke to some 50 local villagers and supporters ahead of polling day tomorrow.
Yesterday, Malaysiakini highlighted plans to create three man-made islands off the coast of Muar with a size of 1,295 hectares, about one-quarter of the size of Putrajaya.
The Marahani Energy Gateway project, with royal involvement, seeks to develop oil and gas as well as shipping facilities on the man-made islands.
Hasni said he would go into detail when a new state government is formed.
"We're at the submission stage, and the (state) government has not approved it yet.
"Let's have a new government, then probably we will talk about all those details," he said.
Hasni is expected to win comfortably in Benut, while polls suggest BN is ahead in the state election.
BN has indicated that it will renominate Hasni as the menteri besar if the coalition wins.
Reps unaware as still not approved
According to the environmental impact assessment report for the Maharani Energy Gateway project, the Johor executive council under Hasni gave his consent to the project on July 6 last year, subject to the necessary due processes.
Among the hurdles that the project must overcome include the draft Johor Structure Plan 2030, whose original version does not account for reclamation works off the coast of Muar.
The Johor government had agreed to the introduction of an addendum report so that modification to the draft Johor Structure Plan 2030 can be made to accommodate the reclamation works and future oil and gas industry.
The public objection period for the modified draft Johor Structure Plan 2030 ended last December, and the next step was for the Johor executive council's approval.
It was supposed to make a decision on the amendment on Jan 27, which is necessary for the project to move forward.
However, Hasni said a decision has yet to be made. Hasni announced the dissolution of the state assembly on Jan 22, paving the way for fresh polls more than a year ahead of schedule.
He also attributes this as the reason why local assemblypersons in the Muar area have complained that they are in the dark about the project.
"Since the matter has not been decided by the government, so that's the reason why the elected representatives or candidates were not aware," he said.
Concurrently, the Maharani Energy Gateway is presently undergoing the environmental impact assessment (EIA) process, and its report went on public display on Feb 14 and will be accessible until March 15.
According to the EIA report, the project is expected to impact close to 1,000 local fishermen and also mangroves along the Muar coastline.
Environmental impact will be considered
Hasni said his government would consider the reports before coming to a decision.
"Of course, if there is any proposal, it shouldn't disrupt or deprive the existing activities.
"Consideration will be given on the effect or consequences of development. There has to be environmental impact assessment, social impact assessment - all that has to be conducted before the government can decide on any project," he said.
The project is owned by Maharani Energy Gateway Sdn Bhd (MEGSB), which was incorporated on March 25 last year.
MEGSB is 55 percent owned by the royalty-linked D Marine Industries Sdn Bhd, while the remaining 45 percent stake is held by K Energy Sdn Bhd.
The majority shareholder in D Marine Industries is Johor ruler Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar, with a 70 percent stake. The other 30 percent is held by Daing A Malek Daing A Rahaman.
Under the share structure for Maharani Energy Gateway, the Johor ruler controls an effective stake of 38.5 percent, the highest among all stakeholders. Daing A Malek has an effective stake of 16.5 percent.
K Energy's 45 percent stake gives their equal co-owners Eric Ong Zong Ren and Valerie Ong Huei Zhen an effective control of 22.5 percent each.
-Mkini
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